Agner’s hot bat fuels Bulldog sweep

K.K. Agner continues to swing a hot bat, and her two home runs Tuesday led Mississippi Gulf Coast to its first sweep of the young softball season. The Bulldogs beat Coastal Alabama-East 6-2 and 5-4 in Brewton, Ala.

"It was nice," Gulf Coast coach David Kuhn said. "We played really good in Game 1, and we found a way to win in Game 2."

The Bulldogs improved to 5-3. Agner (So., Horn Lake/Magnolia Heights) went 5-for-6 with five RBI. Her three-run blast in the fifth inning of the first game gave Gulf Coast a 4-2 lead. She singled in an insurance run in the two-run sixth.

Madisyn Cobbs (So., Oxford/Lafayette) had two doubles, Breanna Green (So., Saraland Ala./Saraland) had a triple and Laurel Ladner had a double. They provided more than enough offense for Jett Harrell (Fr., Clarksdale/Lee Academy), who struck out eight and scattered nine hits. 

"That's our first (seven-inning) complete game of the season," Kuhn said. "She was staying in the strike zone and had good velocity. She changed speed well."

The Warhawks (2-6) struck three times in the third inning of Game 2 for a 3-1 lead. Kate Brannan (So., Enterprise/Enterprise) got one run back int eh fourth with run-scoring triple, and Kamryn LaFosse (Fr., Lake Charles, La./Sam Houston) hit a two-run homer in the fifth for a 4-3 lead.

After Coastal Alabama tied it in the sixth, LaFosse drew a one-out walk. Pinch runner Akira Causey (So., Meridian/Southeast Lauderdale) stole second and advanced to third on a bunt by Abby Vance (So., Calhoun City/Calhoun City). Laurel Ladner (So., Long Beach/Long Beach) hit a ground ball that got through the left side of the infield for the winning run.

Agner opened the scoring in the game with a solo homer in the first inning, her fourth of the season. That's the most in NJCAA Division II, as are her 17 RBI.

"She's killing the ball," Kuhn said. "Every time, she's barreling it up right now. She's being patient at the plate. She's not pressing and she's hitting her pitch. She's driving in runs and being a complete hitter right now." 

Gulf Coast will hit the practice field with some time off from competition. The Bulldogs' next action will be Feb. 17 on the first day of the Sun Chief Classic in Gulf Shores, Ala.

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